Take a look! Hopefully, you'll find a class or two that will get you started on your home yoga practice!

True Beginners - Episode 1

If you're a true yoga beginner, then hopefully this class will be a help!

This class is episode 1 of our new beginner series with Anna Hanson, True Beginners.

In this first episode Anna will lead you through a 35 minute sequence that breaks down numerous fundamental poses which
you will find in most yoga classes. This class doesn't move into flow, it just gives a nice breakdown of various beginner oriented postures.
Anna moves at a slow pace and gives you the chance to establish the pose and alignment.

True Beginners - Episode 2

This week Anna Hanson is back with episode two of our beginner series, True Beginner's!

In episode one, Anna demonstrated many of the fundamental poses that we see in most yoga classes.

In episode two, Anna will lead you through a 30 minute class designed to teach you about Fundamental Flow.
Vinyasa Flow yoga is a very popular yoga style and this class will help you to understand more about what we call a flow.

Naturally, this class is best suited for the beginner and we suggest also taking a look at True Beginner's Episode One!

True Beginners - Episode 3

Anna is back with another addition to our True Beginner's Series!

In episode 3, Anna will guide you through a 30 minute class which will focus on some fundamental stretching and flexibility poses.

Yoga is certainly about much more than just stretching, but most of us desire to find more flexibility and see yoga as a good starting point.
If you're a beginner looking to find your stretch, join Anna and our beginner student, Angel, for some basic stretching.

Kim's Slow Breathe & Flow

Many of us take our breathing for granted while practicing yoga. It's very easy to forget to focus on our breath as we practice.

It's not uncommon to catch students actually holding their breath as they flow through a yoga sequence or posture. However, we all discover that
once we focus on our breath and begin to connect it to our movements, everything flows and works much better!

In this class, Kim will guide you through a flow designed to help discover your breath! The class is 44 minutes in length and it should be well suited for beginners of all levels.

Lulu's Free The Hips & Back

Naturally, we're very happy to welcome instructor Lulu Lam to the site! Lulu is a local teacher in Los Angeles, plus she's a hula hoop professional!

She has a soothing voice and warm personality that's sure to put you at ease. Lulu's first class is a slow moving flow geared toward opening the hips and helping to strengthen the back.

This class is ideal for people who spend a lot of time sitting and the sequence should be comfortable for most all beginner students. The hips and back hold much tension and stress,
hopefully this 40 minute class will aid with releasing it!

5 Basic Beginner Yoga Poses & Their Benefits

Warrior I Pose

Warrior I will test your stamina and strength!

This posture is named after a figure from Hindu mythology. As the myth is told, a very powerful preist Daksha refused to invite his
daughter and her husband to a ritual sacrifice. The daughter Sati then threw herself into a fire after arguing with her father. Sati's
husband Shiva was devastated, he then pounded a lock of his hair into the ground, afterwards a fierce warrior called Virabhadra rose from
the dirt.

Although a beginner Level 1 pose, Warrior I is a strong posture that will test your endurance and strength. Benefits of the pose include
stengthening the legs and ankles, providing a nice stretch for the shoulders and chest, and also awakening the core. Warrior I will also
help to increase flexibility in the hips.

Major Tip: Try not to lean forward in the pose keeping your torso straight, relax your shoulders down your back while keeping your arms level. Remember to
protect your knee by keeping it aligned over the ankle. Keep your big toe to the inside of your bent knee, you should be able to view your big toe while
holding the pose.

Warrior I Pose offers a variety of benefits, some of which are listed below. Enjoy the pose!

Warrior I Pose Benefits:

Flexes The Hips

Stretches The Shoulders

Opens The Chest

Builds Stamina

Strengthens The Legs & Ankles

Warrior II Pose

Build warrior sized stamina and strength with Warrior II Pose!

This posture is named after a figure from Hindu mythology. As the myth is told, a very powerful preist Daksha refused to invite his
daughter and her husband to a ritual sacrifice. The daughter Sati then threw herself into a fire after arguing with her father. Sati's
husband Shiva was devastated, he then pounded a lock of his hair into the ground, afterwards a fierce warrior called Virabhadra rose from
the dirt.

Although a beginner Level 1 pose, Warrior II is a strong posture that will test your endurance and strength. Benefits of the pose include
stengthening the legs and ankles, providing a nice stretch for the shoulders and chest, and also awakening the core. Warrior II will also
help to increase flexibility in the hips.

Major Tip: Try not to lean forward in the pose keeping your torso straight, relax your shoulders down your back while keeping your arms level. Remember to
protect your knee by keeping it aligned over the ankle. Keep your big toe to the inside of your bent knee, you should be able to view your big toe while
holding the pose.

Warrior II Pose offers a variety of benefits, some of which are listed below. Enjoy the pose!

Warrior II Pose Benefits:

Flexes The Hips

Stretches The Shoulders

Opens The Chest

Builds Stamina

Strengthens The Legs & Ankles

Crescent Pose

Crescent Pose will deliver a strong punch and work the entire body!

This posture is a very common standing pose that you'll find in most yoga classes. It could be easy to confuse the pose with
Warrior I,
but there are differences between the two poses. Both Crescent Pose and Warrior I are fantasic for opening the front hips, however the poses
differ in how the back leg and foot are positioned.

Although a beginner Level 1 pose, Crescent is a pose that will test your strength and focus. This pose will also challenge your balance because of
the back foot position. Crescent has numerous benefits including opening the chest, stretching the shoulders, opening the hips, building leg strength,
and also developing balance and endurance.

Major Tip: Make sure to keep your feet hip width apart or a little further to help with balance. Once in the pose, keep your shoulders over the hips and
avoid leaning forward. Pull your shoulders down your back and open the chest. If needed, bend the back leg a little or you can start in Low Lunge.

Crescent Pose offers a variety of benefits, some of which are listed below. Enjoy the pose!

Crescent Pose Benefits:

Opens The Hips

Stretches The Shoulders

Opens The Chest

Builds Stamina

Strengthens The Legs & Ankles

Half Forward Fold Pose

Half Forward Fold could be described as a Baby Forward Fold!

Many may not consider Half Forward Fold as a stand alone yoga pose. This pose is most commonly practiced as part of the
Sun Salutation sequence when your instructor calls for a flat back. Naturally, this pose is a nice way to prep yourself
for a deeper fold and also Downward Facing Dog.

The major benefits of Half Forward Fold Pose include stretching the hamstrings, hips, calves and also the lower back. The
pose can also fire up the core and prep you for more intense bends and folds. Half Forward Fold also creates a nice chance
to lengthen the spine.

This posture is simple enough that it could be practiced throughout your day as a way of awakening the body, especially if you
sit for long periods of time. Just move bewteen a Full Forward Fold and Half Fold with connected breath.

Mountain Pose, and Sun Salutations are the most common prep postures that lead into Half Forward Fold Pose.

Major Tips: If needed use blocks or just reach for your shins if you can't reach the floor. Be aware of lower back and neck
injuries. Relax your neck and don't gaze forward if you feel neck pain. Fold from the hips with a nice flat and straight spine.

Half Forward Fold Pose offers a variety of benefits, some of which are listed below. Enjoy the pose!

Half Forward Fold Pose Benefits:

Stretches The Hips

Helps Connect Your Breath

Stretches The Hamstrings

Lengthens The Spine

Helps Fire Up The Core

Plank Pose

Plank Pose! A basic pose but so very beneficial!

Plank is truly one of the most basic yoga postures. However, if you think it looks easy, just try holding it for a short time! Plank
will aid you greatly in building the needed strength in order to practice more advanced postures. The pose is called Plank as you
hold your body straight and stiff like a wooden plank.

The major benefits of Plank Pose include building strength in your abdomen. Plank will also aid in wrist and arm strength as well.
It's also likely that the pose can offer improved posture in your upper body and neck. A solid Plank Pose will also help with smooth
and strong transitions from one pose to another pose.

Make sure to keep a straight and aligned spine, create a strong line from your head to your heels. Engage your abdomen or core and
don't allow your shoulders to collapse. When practing this posture, sagging is the enemy! As you advance, you may consider adding a
challenge by lifting one foot off the floor.